Tulip Magnolia in Bloom

 Good morning,

I have good news and bad news about our Tulip Magnolia.

First the good news!  It bloomed this week!  How gorgeous! 

 This is how it looks through our dining room french doors.  The screen door doesn't help the picture quality, but it's still pretty.

 I'm so glad I went outside to take pictures!

 This Magnolia came with the house 47 years ago and it has been a pleasure for us every Spring!

I'm so glad I went outside on Monday and took pictures.

Now for the bad news.  :( 

We had a hard freeze on Monday night.  Those gorgeous pink flowers are now all brown and falling off.  

There will be a few blossoms that missed the cold and will still bloom, but the full glory of the tree is gone for this year.

Mother Nature isn't always nice.  I'm just grateful for the few hours we were able to enjoy the glory of this tree in bloom.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!
From all of us in the Evensen Household!

Work in Process This Week - Baby Blanket

 Good morning,

This week's Work in Process is a baby blanket.  I'll make a toy turtle to match which will make it a lovely baby gift.  There are other blankets and sweaters for babies and children in the shop ready to ship now. 

I am also waiting for sunny days to photo hats that I've finished, but have not yet listed.  I like to photo them in both natural light and with flash to show the stitch details.  

I have more ideas than I have time!  On my agenda are more baby blankets, turtles, dolls, and a large Brilliant Garden Afghan Blanket.  Someone wrote and asked me about a large afghan blanket with brilliant flowers and a bright green border similar to a lap blanket already in the shop.  So, that one is perking in my mind while I'm making other items.  

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement, comments, shares, likes, pins, favorites, and purchases, too!  Our shop is very special to us as we enjoy our retirement from our professional lives.  And, a reminder, this is our Evensens Productions Fifteen Year Anniversary on Etsy!  To celebrate, we have a sale running for March only, 15% off!  Use this coupon code at checkout:  0326ANNIVERSARY15.

What are you making, baking, growing this week? I love reading your blogs and hearing about what you other creative people are doing!

All the very best,

Lois

Coming Soon! Tulips and Iris!

 Good morning,

Coming soon to our garden are Tulips and Iris.

Today, though, there is snow in the forecast.  

Mother Nature is teasing again!

;),

Lois

More Daffodils

 Good morning,

More Daffodils are blooming along the stone wall in our back garden.  These yellow and white Daffs bloom seven to ten days after the King Alfred bright yellow flowers.

Beautiful!

I love Spring!

Lois

Fresh Turkey for the Pups

 Good morning,

Yesterday was turkey day at our house.  We feed our pups raw food that we purchase directly from the grocery and butcher.  Today it was 40 pounds of fresh turkey directly from a local butcher.

Usually, we just get the trimmings, but this time, we got a half of a turkey in the box.  What a surprise! 

 Kjell does the cutting and grinding...

 ...and if you look carefully at the top right corner of the picture above, you'll see one of his three supervisors.

Kjell packs the ground turkey in tubs that we freeze until we're ready to use it.

It takes about an hour to get it cut, ground, and stashed in the basement freezer.

Below you'll see a short video of the process.
 

Of course, the three Lab Supervisors are also Lab Testers so they get a piece now and then during the process.

We're good for another eight to ten weeks before we have to repeat the process.

Happy dogs, happy life!

Lois

First Crocus

 Good morning,

Mother Nature gave us the first crocus blooms today.  

These beauties have been blooming beside my driveway for more than 35 years.  

Lovely!

Happy (almost) Spring!

Lois